A Sucker For Oxblood

And there you go: this is look number three of the four burgundy files, featuring a little tunic from Topshop.

I have something quite similar in dark pine green, less lacy and more everyday, with a slight bubble hem. I found earlier that this dress style worked for me - it clings lightly to your shape but is forgiving around your bottom half (right, quarter), it is very feminine but in a soft and girlie way.

Some may question my choice of footwear but when you have to go outside in winter and be ready to walk a lot (who knows where you end up at what time of the night), I just want to wear low chunky heels and something in a knee height.

I have ordered my Topshop studded boots in burgundy, which will look impeccably elegant next to these battered black lace-up boots. Until then, even the pickier of you should rest assured I am not deluding myself into thinking I look half smart in these pics - I just had to show you the dress.

Which is, by the way, not even a dress, but a tunic in the main range of Topshop. It also came in black and in a petite version, but I definitely wanted the choice to wear it as a dress.

The transparent lace back may be a bit tricky if you want to give it a swirl in the office or want to wear a bra without actually showing it off. That is why I dropped a simple cotton cami in the very same colour in the shopping bag when placing the order with Topshop, et voilá.

The dress or tunic looks best as part of a total burgundy look, so get a pair of soft opaque tights and, unlike me, wait for that pair of oxblood boots to be delivered before getting your photos taken! And if you haven't done so already, do hit the sales - it is that time of the year.

Lace tunic dress and studded boots: Topshop, quilted clutch: Primark, lace-up boots: vintage, tights: Intimissimi

Happy Anniversary

They won't stop me. Neither the long day at work, nor the long evening with family and friends. Or sleep deprivation. Or a sore throat. I want to celebrate the second anniversary of GreyCatte's Book Of Style, and the second birthday of GreyCatte as a blogger.

The start of the second year was perfect - I had all the time in the world for about two months - from late winter well into spring - to dedicate to this brainchild. Now, as another year ends, I have all but missed London Fashion Week. This must change. And so it will.

The last outfit I wore and took a few snaps of too was this one, a cute and comfy dress in navy and toffee by Miss Selfridge. It's very 1970s, but in a simple and clean way, giving me the chance to subtly complement it with some winter platforms, then go a bit overboard with a floppy hat.

I have the same boots, the Dr. Martens Darcie, in tan as well, but the black embossed ones, with black tights, were the ones that felt right. But that's OK - the mock croc rich brown classic shoulder bag manages to push it back a bit towards paired-back OTT.

Dress: Miss Selfridge, boots: Dr. Martens, hat: New Look,
bag: TK Maxx

Sunday Grungy Sunday

Sundays often start like that. A long, long lie-in after a longish night with guests, then a hearty breakfast, a bit of housework such as hanging the washing to dry, making lunch, and lying back on the couch reading ELLE. A perfect afternoon in old jeans, a 1980s style jumper from New Look, and a scarf.

All that equals no dressing up, and no room for any home glam (negligees, dressing gowns, silk PJs, turbans, scarlet lips, you get the idea), but no tracksuits either, mind you. That is the grunge of things chez moi, over a typical week-end.

Snuggling up with the glossy well before it gets dark takes your mind off having to go to work only too soon. But what do you do when the realisation hits - you're out of bread, and there is no choice but to get out into the cold?

Jumper: New Look, mustard wash green jeans: Mango, scarf: charity shop, suede wedge trainers: Topshop

Throw on a puffa and head straight out? Or start the usual routine of finding something to wear from scratch? Today, neither seemed appropriate. I wanted to keep the grungy feel and the jumper, but making sure the outfit is somewhere in the realm of citywear. Here's the result...

On the way back, I'll reward myself with box of blueberries, a bar of chocolate and a well-earned coffee.

Jumper: New Look, wool pencil skirt: no idea (Mum's maybe?), spot print silk shell blouse: Zara, emerald patent bag: Mango, patent leather embossed boots: Darcy, Dr. Martens Diva collection